Efecto del nivel de infestación de Varroa destructor sobre la producción de miel de colonias de Apis mellifera en el altiplano semiárido de México Effect of Varroa destructor infestations on honey yields of Apis mellifera colonies in Mexico's semiarid high plateau

The aim of this study was to determine if the mite Varroa destructor affects honey yields of honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies in Mexico’s semiarid high plateau. A total of 32 colonies with different degrees of mite infestation that had not been treated with miticides in the previous two years were used. Honey yields and mite infestation levels in adult bees were recorded and data were subjected to correlation analyses. A negative and significant correlation was found between V. destructor infestation level and honey yield (r= -0.44, P=0.01); and average infestation and honey yield values (±SD) were 15.21±8.44 % and 36.26±29.24 kg, respectively. Results indicate that when V. destructor infestation levels increase, honey yield drops significantly. Therefore it is recommended that colonies infested with V. destructor be subjected to control methods that reduce mite populations to favor an increase in honey yields.